I need your opinions

[maverick351]

First of I'm a new member so hello to everyone. Ok I'm struggling to decide between the badlands 2200 or the clutch. I'm set on these because of prices I am able to get the hookup on. I'm strictly archery hunting and looking for a does it all pack. I do both day trips and some overnight back country stuff. Please share your opinions on these two packs and why you pick that one. Thanks

 

[2ski]

So first of all....welcome.

Second of all, just know that by the end of this thread you will either be buying a Kifaru, Stone Glacier, or Exo. If you just accept that right now you will save some time and get your order placed. You just have to decide which to go with.

I found the 2800 to fit me better than the 2200 when I tried them on at the store. So I would make sure you try them on and see which one fits you best. I have no experience with the Clutch. I have to say, I kind of miss the days when I wanted a Badlands. I could actually go try on packs at the store. Thats not a joke either. It was exciting to walk into the sporting good store to try on Badlands, Eberlestocks, Sitkas, and Tenzing. Now I have my DT2 and I'm ruined for life.

 

[couesbitten]

Yeah, 2ski pretty much said it. But, having said that, if the price of these packs prohibits you from purchasing one, I would give serious consideration to the Horn Hunter Full Curl, great pack and if you shop around, you should be able to get into one for $300.

 

[mrbillbrown]

I'm with coues... Look into the Horn Hunter Full Curl system for a great "do it all" pack system. Frame, camp bag, and day pack that's completely interchangeable for the needs of your trip. It's a heck of a value at $300.

 

[maverick351]

problem is I get up and I get those packs at cost so I have to pay well over double to get any of the other pact that you guys are discussing.

 

[dotman]

My only suggestion, don't just pick a pack because you can get a great deal on it. Heck I can go to walmart and buy a backpack and think I got a great deal. Not all packs are equal and you need to research what your torso size is and if you care to carry weight in a comfortable fashion or lose the function of your arms as the shoulder harness restricts blood flow.

So pretty much what I'm saying is make sure either of these packs will actually fit you because one size does not fit all.

 

[back country]

My only suggestion, don't just pick a pack because you can get a great deal on it. Heck I can go to walmart and buy a backpack and think I got a great deal. Not all packs are equal and you need to research what your torso size is and if you care to carry weight in a comfortable fashion or lose the function of your arms as the shoulder harness restricts blood flow.

So pretty much what I'm saying is make sure either of these packs will actually fit you because one size does not fit all.

^ +1. I started out with a badlands 2200. I got it cause I had a sports authority giftcard for $100 and the wife worked there at the time so she could get me the employee discount too (thank goodness she doesn't anymore, they have the worst outdoor gear section ever, if they even have one anymore), but then I decided to upgrade because the 2200 couldn't hold jack. I packed it up for a 2 night shed hunting/camping trip, and by the time I had everything I wanted I think there was more stuff outside the pack hanging off of it than there was in it, and I really tried to be frugal and take only what I knew I'd use and nothing more.

I upgraded to a kifaru a few months ago and couldn't be happier with my new pack. I wish I would've just bought it from the get-go, that way I woulnd't have a badlands 2200 laying around that I don't use anymore and could have put the ~$80 it cost me towards the kifaru The phrase buy once, cry once applies perfectly here. Don't shortchange yourself because you're getting a deal, you won't know what you're missing out on. I reckon if you are serious about hunting and plan to continue for years to come, buying a 2200 is the start of your 'scenic route' to finding the pack that works/fits best for you and your style. People rave about the top of the line packs on here for a reason.

Just my $.02

 

[ndbwhunter]

I don't have any input on the packs that you've mentioned, but keep your eye on the classifieds on here and you'll find a deal on a great pack if you're patient. You won't regret buying a good pack in the beginning.

 

[mrbillbrown]

I'm embarrassed to list the packs I've bought and sold over the past 3 years searching for the "perfect pack". (Academy, BassPro, Badlands, Eberlestock, Sitka, Horn Hunter, Kifaru to name a few) Probably close to 20 and owned multiple packs from each company... Really wish I had paid more attention to what I wanted/needed a pack to do rather than how it looks, says it will work, or just because I got a good/great deal. I could've saved several hundred dollars (more like a thousand or more) overall. Best of luck in your search. It's a tough hunt in itself.

 

[Phillip Hathaway]

Are you looking at packing animals out? Your body will be killed with either of those. If you are looking at a do it all look at Kifaru. I too messed around with all the other brands and finally just settled on a kifaru nomad with bikini frame. I paid alot of money for other packs to just sell them on ebay for prices below what I paid for them. You can also look at eberlestock. The only difference is you wont get a load lifting capability with the badlands compared to any of the above mentioned brands. Welcome to the forums.

 

[realunlucky]

Welcome I have a 2200 at home packed many elk quarters it was a great day pack for me. It would bring out a quarter than other pack boards from the truck for the rest. it will carry it but not that comfortably. Like other stated you can run out of room quick with it. I now own a kifaru and the badlands sits because it's weight to volume ratio is to low, not to mention comfort level with any kind of weight. The 2200 is a great day pack but make sure its size fits your needs

 

[maverick351]

Yes it was intended to pack out animals such as mule deer, coues deer, and javelin. I live in Az so don't elk hunt much. My main reasons for those packs was the discount I can get and because honestly with everything else I have going on I cant afford a 300$+ pack at this time.

 

[marc]

FYI if this new pack works out I will have a Kifaru hitting the classifieds that is in your price range.

If you are a skinny guy like me the 2200 belt will not go small enough.

 

[Bob]

What are you wanting to pay for a 2200? I have one I don't need.

 

[maverick351]

Im 6'00" 220

 

[69ChrisCraft]

I've heard the Badlands 2200 is a decent pack.... It must not be made at the same factory as the Super Day. Granted I overloaded the pack a bit but by the end of my trip there were so many seams that had ripped I don't know how it even held its contents. I've thought about giving the pack away here to someone with some sewing skills but I just can't do it with a good conscience. I own a North Face and an REI pack and they both make the SuperDay look like a Fieldline.... I can't imagine how nice a "good" pack would be.

 

[realunlucky]

Chris send it in to badlands they will repair it

 

[Mike7]

Here is another possible option that might fit into your price range and allow you to carry meat comfortably also... I thought I had read on one of these threads that Steve would sell just the Exo Belt/Frame if you requested it (and the price I saw was a bit less than the Kifaru Bikini frame which would be another option).

If you picked up this Exo frame, then you could add a formal Exo pack bag down the road if you wanted, and use the frame right now maybe with some webbing straps and any day pack or dry bag. It looks like the Exo guys also plan to have a Meat/Accessory panel that will be added to the options this year, so you could pick that up instead of an Exo pack bag when it becomes available.

On another note, my old Kelty external frame pack (which I've seen cheap used) compresses down "okay" with the top bar removed, is very light, and packs far more comfortably than some of the typical hunting packs mentioned above (e.g. Badlands, Eberlestock, etc., though I'm not sure about Horn Hunter Full Curl as never tried that one).

 

[dotman]

Another good option is the Stone Glacier Minimalist, I think it is around $350 and would be a great plateform to build off of later with SG bags and accessories. You can get an Aluminum Bikini Frame for $336 and a 55L OR drybag for another $35. Lash straps are easy to come by. You don't have to spend $700 all at once or at all. Just be willing to create your own system out of mulitple mfg's products.

I run a Kifaru Bikini with Nomad bag, a Mystery Ranch Lid, Hill People Gear Tarapocket and Multiple OR dry bags depending on what I need etc. It all works very well together and to me they each are the best of what I want for my setup because there isn't one mfg that has created my perfect system but they all have certain products that work better for my needs.

 

[2ski]

To expand on my earlier post, I was like you and wanted a Badlands. I received the same answers that you are now getting. So I saved up and bought the duplex frame and a grabit. With that set up and a duffle bag you could make it work temporarily. I saved some more and bought a DT2 BAG LATER on.

But if you are set on Badlands, and I understand that there is a huge difference between $80 amd $300 and up and up, try on all the badlands and put some weight in them at a sporting goods store.